Margaretha B.⁴ Rittenhouse (Salome³ Arner, felix², Ulrich¹), born 07 December 1797 in Conyngham, Luzerne, Pennsylvania; died 04 November 1888 at Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne, Pennsylvania; married first to Lawrence Smethers who was born 01 January 1799 in Nescopeck, Luzerne, Pennsylvania and died 1851 in Denison, Luzerne, Pennsylvania; married second by 1860 in Luzerne County to Jeremiah McCarty (his second marriage) who was born about 1814 in Ireland and died 1888 in Luzerne County. [Some info on this family from descendant Patricia Matthews and researcher Nena Smothers.]

[Lawrence was the son of Jacob Schmetter and Rebecca Aborn Hoff/Huff. Jacob Schmetter was one of the first settlers in what is now Nescopeck. From Annals of Luzerne County, Stewart Pearce, published by J. B. Lippincott & Company, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1860 [emphasis added]: “Jacob Smithers, Jacob Shover, Martin Arner and Jacob Seyberling settled in the territory of this [Nescopeck] township in 1791, on the banks of the Nescopeck creek, near its mouth.” Jacob died about 08 May 1826 in Nescopeck. Administration of his estate, posted on the Luzerne County GenWeb site.]

1850 Census: Lawrence Smithers, page 935, visit 427/438, Denison, Luzerne, Pennsylvania.

1860 Census: Jeremiah McCarty, page 135, visit 1857/1869, Denison, Luzerne, Pennsylvania.

1870 Census: Jeremiah McCarty, page 374, visit 103/103, Denison, Luzerne, Pennsylvania.

1880 Census: Jeramiah McCarty, page 443, visit 060/060, Denison, Luzerne, Pennsylvania.

She is buried at Wilkes-Barre City Cemetery. Jeremiah is buried at Laurel Cemetery at White Haven, Luzerne, Pennsylvania.

Known children with first husband [most of whom apparently died young], possibly not in correct birth order:

Susanna⁵ Smethers, born about 1818; married first to Adam Fernekees who was born about 1806 in Baden, Germany; married second to ______ Bowman. He was a shoemaker. 1850 Census: Adam “Fannycose”, page 937, visit 135/446, Dennison, Luzerne, Pennsylvania. 1860 Census: Adam Furnakees, page 135, visit 1858/1870, Dennison, Luzerne, Pennsylvania. 1870 Census: Adam “Fanny Cose”, page 374, visit 104/104, Dennison, Luzerne, Pennsylvania. 1880 Census: Adam Fernekees, page 393, visit 570/573, Freeland [village], Luzerne, Pennsylvania [also grandson Thos M. Fernekees age 6]. Known children:

Simon W.⁶ Fernekees [recorded as “Thomas’ in the 1850 and 1860 censuses], born about November 1841; married 21 January 1870 to Mary J. Holly who was born about August 1848 in Pennsylvania. He was a fireman for a railroad; later he was a day laborer. 1880 Census: Simon W. Fernikees, page 383, visit 171/174, Mauch Chunk (1^st Ward), Carbon, Pennsylvania. 1900 Census: Siom Frmekees?, page 058, visit 307/318, Allentown (1^st Ward), Lehigh, Pennsylvania. 1910 Census: Simon W. Fernekees, page 021, visit 116/116, Allentown (1^st Ward), Lehigh, Pennsylvania. They had eight children, six of whom died before the 1900 census. Known children: William H. Fernekees, born about August 1871, he worked at a boiler works, 1900 Census: (single, with parents), 1910 Census: (single, with parents); Harry C. Fernekees, born about May 1874; married 15 November 1899 at Allentown, Lehigh, Pennsylvania to Ella May Ike (daughter of William O. Ike and Julia Mosher) who was born 29 March 1879 in New Jersey, he was a theater operator, 1900 Census: Harry Frmekees? (with his parents), 1910 Census: Harry Fernekees, page 277, visit 040/042, Queensbury, Warren, New York, known child Sarah I. Fernekees was born about 1901 at Allentown and died July 1926 in Lehigh County and was married about 1922 to Miles D. Ehrich; Sarah E. Fernekees, born about 1878, apparently died before the 1900 census.

Hannah Fernekees, born about 1844; [not with parents in 1860].

C. W. Fernekees (son), born about 1848; [not with parents in 1860].

Catharine Fernekees, born about 1851.

Mary Jane⁶ Fernekees, born about September 1855; married 1885-86 to John Summerfield Bowman who was born 20 October 1850 in Pennsylvania. He was a farmer. 1900 Census: John Bowman, page 299, visit 115/120, Stronach, Manistee, Michigan. 1910 Census: John S. Bowman, page 058, visit 249/254, Meade, Mason, Michigan. Known children, born in Michigan: Theresa? M. Bowman, born about May 1887; Carrie E. Bowman, born about October 1888, 1910 Census: (single, with parents); Susan A. Bowman, born about February 1890; John Henry Howard Bowman, born 23 October 1891 (but WWI draft registration says 1892₍₄₀₎), married by 1917 to Grace Mary Nichols who was born 03 August 1896 in Mason County, he registered for the WWI Draft in Mason County; Jennie Bowman, born about June 1893; Hazel G. Bowman, born about February 1895; Laura L. Bowman, born about February 1898; Frank E. Bowman, born 05 April 1900₍₄₀₎, he registered for the WWI Draft in Mason County.

Jeremiah⁶ Fernekees, born about 1859; married 1882-83 to Henrietta L. ______ who was born about 1887-88 in Pennsylvania. He was a brakeman for a railroad. 1910 Census: Jerry Fernekees, page 079, visit 273/284, East Mauch Chunk (1^st Ward), Carbon, Pennsylvania. 1930 Census: Jeremiah Fernekees, page 081, visit 190/190, East Mauch Chunk (1^st Ward), Carbon, Pennsylvania. They had ten children, five of whom died before the 1910 census. Known children: Hattie E. Fernekees, born about 1885, 1930 Census: (single, with parents); Lottie Fernekees, born about 1887; Elizabeth Fernekees, born about 1895; Albert Lewis Fernekees, born 19 January 1897_(17)(49), died September 1963₍₁₇₎, married to Marion M. _______; Josephine Fernekees, born about 1904.

Anthony M.⁶ Fernekees, born about 1861. 1880 Census: (single, with parents).

Eliza M.⁶ Fernekees, born about 1864. 1880 Census: (single, with parents).

Erasmas⁵ Smethers.

Jacob⁵ Smethers.

Hezekiel⁵ Smethers, born 11 August and christened 23 November 1828 (Sponsors: Jonas Buss and Eliz)₍₂₀₎.

Margaret⁵ Smethers, born 08 October 1832; died 20 March 1910 at Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne, Pennsylvania; married 1853-54 to John T. Thoma who was born 16 September 1826 in Baden, Germany and died 17 March 1912 at Wilkes-Barre. He came to the U.S. in 1850 (1900 census). 1850 Census: Margaret Smithers (with parents). 1880 Census: John Thoma, page 028, visit 166/169, Wilkes-Barre (14^th Ward), Luzerne, Pennsylvania. 1900 Census: John Thoma, page 134, visit 046/048, Wilkes-Barre (14^th Ward), Luzerne, Pennsylvania. 1910 Census: John Thoma (widower), page 003, visit 038/038, Wilkes-Barre (14^th Ward), Luzerne, Pennsylvania. They are buried at Hanover Green Cemetery at Wilkes-Barre. His will or estate (Luzerne Will Book 32, page 197), not checked yet. They had nine children, one of whom died before the 1900 census. Known children, born in Luzerne County:

George⁶ Thoma, born [about February] 1856₍₁₄₎; died 1916₍₁₄₎; married about 1879 to Alvaretta M. Whipple (daughter of Myron T. Whipple and Jane T. vanNosdal) who was born 06 September 1854₍₁₄₎ in Pennsylvania and died 13 January 1927₍₁₄₎. He was a salesman. 1880 Census: George Thoma, page 698, visit 105/107, Wilkes-Barre (11^th Ward), Luzerne, Pennsylvania. 1900 Census: George Thoma, page 189, visit 143/195, Wilkes-Barre (15^th Ward), Luzerne, Pennsylvania. 1910 Census: George Thoma, page 036, visit 239/263, Wilkes-Barre (9^th Ward), Luzerne, Pennsylvania. 1920 Census: Retta M. Thoma (widow), page 029, visit 351/364, Dorranceton borough, Luzerne, Pennsylvania. They are buried at Hanover Green Cemetery at Wilkes-Barre. They had four children. [More info is on the Whipple Family website.] Children: Charles Ernest Thoma, born 29 December 1885_{(14) (40)}, died 1959₍₁₄₎, married by 1908 to Flora F. Steiger (daughter of Augustus Steiger and Stella Cobb) who was born 18 May 1886 in Pennsylvania and died 17 March 1976, he was a grocery store manager, later he was a clerk, he is buried at Hanover Green Cemetery; Florence M. Thoma, born [about February] 1887₍₁₄₎, died 17 January 1931₍₁₄₎, buried at Hanover Green Cemetery; Georgia Anna Thoma, born 04 December 1889₍₁₇₎, died 02 January 1981 at Hazleton, Luzerne, Pennsylvania₍₁₇₎, unmarried; (Child), born 11 May and died 14 May 1891₍₁₄₎, buried at Wilkes-Barre Cemetery.

John⁶ Thoma, born about 1857; married to Emma ______ who was born about 1856 in Pennsylvania. He was a farmer. 1880 Census: John Thoma, page 273, visit 033/038, Black Creek, Luzerne, Pennsylvania. Known child: Elenora Thoma, born about 1879.

Thomas⁶ Thoma, born about 1860; possibly married to Hannah ______.

William⁶ Thoma, born about June 1863; married 1891-92 to Mary ______ who was born about October 1869 in Pennsylvania. He was a foreman or a fireman [for a railroad?]; later he was a coal miner. 1900 Census: William Thoma, page 290, visit 009/009, Solomons Gap [village], Luzerne, Pennsylvania. 1920 Census: William Thoma, page 068, visit 102/106, Parsons borough, Luzerne, Pennsylvania. 1930 Census: William Thoma (with brother-in-law John Llewellyn), page 217, visit 124/140, Wilkes-Barre (17^th Ward), Luzerne, Pennsylvania. They possibly had no children.

Charles⁶ Thoma, born about 1866; married about 1889 to Lametta ______ who was born about 1869 in Pennsylvania. He was a salesman for a retail grocery. 1910 Census: Charles Thoma (“nephew”, with Judson J Place), page 238, visit 189/230, Mayfield (2^nd Ward), Lackawanna, Pennsylvania. No children as of 1910.

James E.⁶ Thoma, born 09 March 1868; died 27 April 1943 at Wilkes-Barre; married 03 July 1889 to Flora Laura Hardenstein (daughter of Jacob Hardenstein and Susan Whipple) who was born 30 March 1869 at Wilkes-Barre and died 23 November 1937 at Wilkes-Barre. He was a boiler maker. 1900 Census: James E. Thoma, page 194, visit 302/304, Wilkes-Barre (15^th Ward), Luzerne, Pennsylvania. 1910 Census: James E. Thoma, page 111, visit 282/290, Wilkes-Barre (15^th Ward), Luzerne, Pennsylvania. 1930 Census: James E. Thoma, page 183, visit 157/176, Wilkes-Barre (15^th Ward), Luzerne, Pennsylvania. They are buried at Hanover Green Cemetery. They had seven children, two of whom died before the 1910 census. Known children: Palmer E. Thoma, born about July 1891, apparently died by 1910; Bessie M. Thoma, born about May 1893; Elmer James Thoma, born 22 March 1895₍₄₀₎; Franklin Lewis Thoma, born 09 October 1897₍₄₀₎(but SSDI says 1898₍₁₇₎), died April 1954₍₁₇₎, married 31 March 1925 in Carbon County, Pennsylvania to Elsie Marie Cresswell who was born 20 August 1902₍₁₇₎ in Pennsylvania and died 02 July 1989 at Phoenix, Maricopa, Arizona₍₁₇₎; Madeline Thoma, born about February 1900; Ralph Thoma, born 07 December 1904.

Edwin⁶ Thoma, born about 1870; married 1895-96 to Anna Charlotte Jones who was born about 1874 in Carbon County, Pennsylvania. He was a milk dealer; later he was a clerk. 1910 Census: Edwin Thoma, page 168, visit 117/122, Washington, Wyoming, Pennsylvania. 1920 Census: Edwin Thoma, page 096, visit 029/029, Forty Fort (2^nd Ward), Luzerne, Pennsylvania. Known children, born in Pennsylvania: Stanley Edwin Thoma, born about 1897, married 1923-24 to Margaret E. ______ who was born about 1898 in Pennsylvania, they moved to New Jersey; Morgan J. Thoma, born about 1900, married 1924-25 to Gertrude S. ______ who was born about 1903 in Pennsylvania; Margaret E. Thoma, born about 1907, married 1928-29 to Walter J. Scott who was born about 1907 in Pennsylvania, he was a printer; Helen Vivian Thoma, born about 1914.

Louisa⁶ Thoma, born about September 1873; married 1891-92 to Adam G. Malkemes who was born about June 1870 in Pennsylvania, divorced by 1905. He was a house carpenter; she was a nurse. 1900 Census: Adam Malkemes, page 141, visit 030/030, Wilkes-Barre (14^th Ward), Luzerne, Pennsylvania. 1910 Census: Adam Malkemes [with second wife], page 170, visit 104/108, Wilkes-Barre (13^th Ward), Luzerne, Pennsylvania; also Louisa Thoma (divorced, and children, with her father). 1920 Census: Louisa Thoma (“widow”, with son-in-law Albert Phillips), page 213, visit 133/143, Wilkes-Barre (14^th Ward), Luzerne, Pennsylvania. They had seven children, two of whom died before the 1900 census and one more who died before the 1910 census. Known children: George Luther Malkemes, born 04 November 1894₍₄₀₎, possibly was killed in action during WWI; Clarence Malkemes, born about January 1897; Martha Malkemes, born about February 1898, married by 1920 to Albert Phillips who was born about 1895 in Pennsylvania, he was a house carpenter; Henry Adam Malkemes, born 11 October 1899_(17)(40), died January 1970 at Hummelstown, Dauphin, Pennsylvania₍₁₇₎.

Rachel⁵ Smethers.

Mary⁵ Smethers.

Salome⁵ Smethers.

Elizabeth⁵ Smethers, born about 1841. 1850 Census: Elizabeth Smithers (with parents).

Thomas⁵ Smethers.

Rebecca⁵ Smethers.

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